Ernie’s Zero Waste Shop in Castle Quarter in Norwich has been a regular haunt for me in the last few years.
As someone concerned about the environment and global warming, I’m always on the lookout for brands that use less plastic and are generally sustainable. And Ernie’s Zero Waste Shop has been invaluable for that.
I first started shopping there when I was looking for laundry detergent, fabric conditioner and washing-up liquid refills. And I keep going back.
For many products, you simply take your own containers (or buy reusable ones there) and weigh them on arrival. Then fill it up with your product of choice before taking it to the till to pay, where it’s weighed again. You pay for the weight you’ve added. Super simple.
For a small refill shop, there’s a good selection of household brands to choose from, including SESI and Miniml.
They also have shower gels, shampoo, conditioner, (all of which are available in refill and solid form) dental floss, electric toothbrush heads, toilet rolls and more.
Plus, they also sell food and drink. I often get spices from the Spice Man at Norwich Market, but you can also buy those at Ernie’s in Norwich. That’s in addition to nuts, seeds, grains, pasta, rice, cereals — even pick-and-mix sweets. They have a nice selection of frozen items, including fruit, veg and pastries, too.
There are also staples like tea, coffee (including beans) and chocolate, with local brand Dark Room Chocolate on the shelves. Plus, you can make your own, natural peanut butter using their machine in the back.
It’s worth noting that Ernie’s is a little more pricey than a supermarket. However, for me, it’s worth it. I’m prepared to pay a little more for ethical products and support a local business.
Know of another zero-waste shop in Norwich?
Drop me a line. I would love to check out other refill shops. Simply send me a message to let me know if there’s a sustainable refill shop I should check out.
